Liverpool's possible Champions League play-off opponents

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Liverpool learn list of possible opponents in Champions League play-off draw
Mario Balotelli could return to Anfield, with French outfit Nice on the list of five
They may face Steaua Bucharest, Young Boys, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir
Jurgen Klopp's men are among five seeded teams along with Napoli and Sevilla

Published: 06:28 EDT, 3 August 2017 | Updated: 11:54 EDT, 3 August 2017

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Liverpool face a potential reunion with former striker Mario Balotelli as French side Nice were confirmed as one of five teams they could be paired with in their Champions League play-off.

Jurgen Klopp's men will be seeded for Friday's draw along with Napoli, Sevilla, CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon and will be paired against one five clubs including: Steaua Bucharest, Young Boys, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir as well as Nice.

The Ligue 1 outfit qualified for the third round after knocking last season's Europa League finalists Ajax out on the away goals rule following a 2-2 draw at the Amsterdam Arena and a 1-1 draw at home.

Jurgen Klopp learned Liverpool's possible Champions League play-off opponents

Liverpool could face a possible reunion with former striker Mario Balotelli, who plays for Nice

LIVERPOOL: POSSIBLE PLAY-OFF OPPONENTS

Steaua Bucharest (Romania)

Young Boys (Switzerland)

Hoffenheim (Germany)

Istanbul Basaksehir (Turkey)

Nice (France)

Draw made Friday August 4 (11am)

Ties to be played Aug 15-16 and 22-23

Dinamo Kiev were also shocked in the second qualifying phase by Swiss outfit Young Boys, who also sealed an away-goals victory after their 2-0 home win took the aggregate score to 3-3.

The surprise results made a potentially hazardous draw somewhat easier for Liverpool, who will miss out on at least £40million in revenue if they fail to qualify for Europe's elite football competition.

They will be expected to progress regardless of who they are drawn against, but Klopp will be keen to avoid Balotelli's Nice, who were surprise title contenders in Ligue 1 last season.

There is also an obvious pitfall should they draw Istanbul Basaksehir, who count former Premier League stars Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Adebayor on their books.

Balotelli had an unsuccessful spell with Liverpool before joining Nice last summer

LEAGUE ROUTE

Seeded clubs

Sevilla, Napoli, Liverpool, CSKA Moscow, Sporting Lisbon

Unseeded clubs

FCSB, Young Boys, Hoffenheim, Nice, Istanbul Basaksehir

CHAMPIONS ROUTE

Seeded clubs

Olympiacos, Celtic, Copenhagen, APOEL Nicosia, NK Maribor

Unseeded clubs

Qarabag FK, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, Slavia Prague, Astana, NK Rijeka

A long trip to Turkey would put a strain on the Liverpool squad, who must play the two-legged tie immediately before Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace and Arsenal (both home games).

Celtic will also attempt to reach the Champions League proper via the Champions Route and will also be seeded along with Olympiacos, Copenhagen, APOEL Nicosia and NK Maribor.

They will play one of Qarabag FK, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, Slavia Prague, Astana or NK Rijeka.

The draw will be made at 11am BST on Friday, with the two-legged ties to be played on Aug 15-16 and 22-23.